F1 Insider: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix betting tips and analysis
Our F1 Insider has bagged the last two grands prix winners at 8/1 and 3/1, and he's siding with Max Verstappen to round off the season.
Recommended bets
2pts e.w. Max Verstappen to win the Abu Dhabi GP at 4/1 (1/5 1,2,3)
5pts no safety car to be deployed at 17/20
Max Verstappen to win the Abu Dhabi GP at 4/1
Verstappen did this column proud in Brazil by taking a relatively comfortable victory from pole position at Interlagos, and it looks like the Dutchman has been underrated once again this weekend.
Ferrari were off the pace once again in race trim and it's fair to say their form peaked with a hat-rick of victories for Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel straight after the summer break. Their class-leading engine will make them a threat for pole position on Saturday but Sunday's race might boil down once again to a shootout between Verstappen's Red Bull and Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes.
Hamilton could well edge the qualifying battle between the pair and so is deservedly a slight favourite, but Max has the bit between his teeth and should be backed each-way to give the world champion plenty to think about over the winter break.
No safety car deployed at 17/20
Last season saw the safety car triggered in memorable fashion as Romain Grosjean tipped Nico Hulkenberg's Renault onto its roll-bar on the opening lap. Hulkenberg was trapped upside down against the barriers but escaped unharmed, but the significance of that incident was that it was the first time a safety-car period had been invoked in Abu Dhabi since 2012.
There are one or two awkward corners where rescue vehicles would require the race to be neutralised, but the vast majority of the track has large run-off areas and easy access for emergency crews. The chances for the AMG Mercedes to be called into action again in this year's race are 50:50 according to the bookies, but that looks to overestimate its likelihood. Take the 17/20 that it won't be required.
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